Switzerland Travel Guide - Business

• GDP: US$392.9 billion (2006).
• Main exports: Chocolate, watches, pharmaceuticals, metals and chemicals.
• Main imports: Chemicals, textiles, electronics and minerals.
• Main trade partners: Germany, Austria, France, USA and UK.

Switzerland has a typical West European mixed economy with a bias towards light and craft-based industries: Swiss precision manufacturing such as watch-making is renowned throughout the world. The country is highly industrialised and heavily dependent on exports of finished goods (including machine tools, printing and photographic equipments, electronics and medical equipment). There is also a substantial chemical industry, employing 15% of the workforce, which continues to grow steadily. In total, exports are equivalent to just under half of Swiss GDP. Switzerland lacks raw materials, so most of these must be imported.

Although half of the country's food is imported, the agricultural sector is a strong and major employer. The processed foods industry has a high international profile, particularly in such products as chocolate, cheese and baby foods.

The service sector is dominated by banking, where the particular reputation of the Swiss banking community for discretion has attracted large deposits. Switzerland is one of Europe's major financial centres, with Zürich home to the world's fourth-ranked stock market (after New York, London and Tokyo). Among other service industries, tourism is of major importance.

Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, although nearly two-thirds of its exports are sold to EU countries.

Businesspeople are expected to wear suits. Although English is widely spoken, it is always appreciated if a visitor attempts to say a few words in the language of the host. When visiting a firm, a business card is essential.

Office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1400-1700.

The neutrality, stability and conveniently central location of Switzerland make the country a favourite meeting place for conventions and international organisations. It has an extensive and highly developed network of conference destinations with all the major cities and many of the smaller alpine and lake resorts offering hotels and convention centres which are fully equipped with a complete range of facilities including interpretation and audio-visual services.

Each of Switzerland's main cities has its own Convention Bureau, whilst the Association of Swiss Convention Centres, Swiss Congress, oversees meetings activity throughout the country. The organisation is made up of the 19 leading congress locations in Switzerland and can help with the organisation of a meeting in any region of the country.

OSEC Business Network Switzerland
Stampfenbachstrasse 85, 8035 Zürich, Switzerland
Tel: (1) 365 5770.
Website: www.osec.ch

Economiesuisse Swiss Business Federation
Verband der Schweizer Unternehmen, Hegibachstrasse 47, 8032 Zürich, Switzerland
Tel: (44) 421 3535.
Website: www.economiesuisse.ch

Switzerland Convention and Incentive Bureau (SCIB)
c/o Switzerland Tourism, Tödistrasse 7, 8027 Zürich, Switzerland
Tel: (1) 288 1271.
Website: www.myswitzerland.com